Approximately 150 GED students to receive certificates

Many of the more than 700 students eligible for a General Education Development (GED) certificate through the North Idaho College Adult Basic Education program have overcome much adversity on their way to this milestone, which is what makes the GED Graduation Ceremony unique.

“There's a different atmosphere at this graduation,” said ABE/GED Director Rex Fairfield. “The ceremony is only an hour long and there is no keynote speaker. It's really just about the students and their accomplishment.”

Approximately 150 GED graduates are expected to participate in the ceremony at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 in Boswell Hall Schuler Auditorium.

Since January 2004, more than 700 GED graduates, ranging from 16 years old to over 60, have successfully completed GED testing through the NIC Adult Basic Education program, which covers the five northern counties of Idaho.

During the ceremony, graduates will have the opportunity to take the microphone to show their gratitude for the people who helped them earn their GED or talk about their experiences along the way.

“This is always a very emotional, very moving portion of the ceremony,” Fairfield said. “The fact is that four out of 10 high school graduates could not pass the GED test, so that shows the rigor that goes into preparing for this test and the reason for the feeling of triumph.”

Administrators will honor one graduate with the Outstanding ABE/GED Student of the Year Award, which is presented to a student who has displayed a willingness to learn and a commitment to education while earning a GED and participating in ABE. This year's award recipient will receive a full scholarship for one year at NIC beginning fall semester of 2005.

Staff members at the NIC Adult Education Center will also choose a recipient of the Hugh Smith Volunteer Tutor of the Year Award, established this year in honor of longtime ABE volunteer instructor and tutor Smith, who passed away in 2004.

The graduates' family and friends are invited to attend the ceremony and the reception that follows in the dining area of Edminster Student Union Building.